I sense the scent of a side quest. They really come one after another.
Adhering to her completionist principles, Frieren rode forward. The blind girl looked curious as Frieren introduced herself and asked:
"What is the current situation at Castle Morne?"
"Please, I beg you, listen to me. My name is Irina, daughter of the castle's commander. There's a rebellion happening... I was born blind, so I'm not entirely sure, but the sounds of fighting are everywhere. It's terrifying. My father had me escape, but he remained in the castle out of duty. I'm so worried about him."
"Lord Edgar is a brave man. I hear he is quite skilled; he should still be holding out."
"Those rebels hate everything. They launched indiscriminate attacks on anyone fleeing Castle Morne. I don't know what happened exactly, but their methods are ruthless."
"I will provide support."
"Please, deliver this letter to my father. It urges him to leave. Will you convey it for me?"
Towards the end, Irina was practically pleading. Tear stains marked the bandages covering her eyes. Seeing this, Frieren considered carefully. This was likely a choice point – accept or refuse.
Ignoring player prompts for now, she judged based on her own interests.
If Castellan Edgar was willing to leave the fortress, which commanded influence over a region, that would be ideal. She could take control without shedding blood. As for the Misbegotten rebels, they didn't matter.
Exterminate them all. Scum like that were like the Demon race to humans – they could never be tamed.
"I will deliver the letter. Rest assured."
"Even if he must bear infamy, I hope my father lives. Though he is stubborn, I believe he will change his mind once he reads the letter."
Learning the commander of the visiting support army accepted, Irina's expression finally eased. However, Frieren didn't hold much hope. From what she understood, Edgar was extremely steadfast; a single letter might not be enough to persuade him.
Oh well.
Just to be safe, she checked the player comments to avoid missing any crucial information or plotlines.
[What's with all these side quests? They start with helping someone and end with their death, or even a fate worse than death. My Irina, noooooo—]
[Tragedy ahead]
[She dies whether you deliver the letter or not, right? It's to lead into Hyetta's questline, a hidden path related to receiving the Frenzied Flame. So it must be the Frenzied Flame adherents who kill her.]
[Because of Irina, I am irreconcilable enemies with the Frenzied Flame. Because of Melina, I still choose to receive the Frenzied Flame to burn the tree.]
[(Slang implying changing one's mind) Delicious!]
[I just want to see little wooden head with her hair standing on end!]
[Pure curiosity, when we progress Hyetta's questline, does Shabriri, the mouthpiece of Frenzy, even know about the existence of a Frenzied Flame Maiden?]
[This questline is quite hidden, doesn't link strongly with others. It's probably meant to guide you to the Frenzied Flame seal beneath the capital, letting you know such a thing exists, though players still won't know without a guide.]
[Sigh, fragmented narrative. Sigh, Miyazaki's plots.]
[Deliver the letter quickly! I want to see rivers of blood! I want the Castellan to drop his Runes ASAP!]
[I want to play with a Halberd +8 right now!]
[Irina turning into 'Blind Maiden Hyetta' after being killed doesn't seem like Frenzied Flame body possession, she becomes a completely different person. More like amnesia plus brainwashing into becoming a Maiden.]
[So she had an innate aptitude for the Frenzied Flame all along?]
[Not necessarily. If she were qualified, she should have been able to become a Kindling Maiden, but she couldn't.]
Opinions varied widely.
Frieren read them, raising an eyebrow. Since I'm already here, and possess reality-level freedom, I certainly can't just let it slide. I should use my abilities to prevent it. Especially since the culprit behind the scenes was quite unique...
"Miss Irina, do you know you're being targeted? You actually possess the aptitude sought by the adherents of the Frenzied Flame."
"Perhaps. You see things very clearly. Mysteriously, I feel an affinity towards it, as if one day I will be called and drawn to it."
Suddenly, she tilted her head, vaguely sensing a spirit materializing.
Hearing mention of the Frenzied Flame, Melina couldn't sit idly by. She appeared and warned, "You must be careful, Frieren. It is an absolutely taboo power."
"Then do you have any suggestions?"
"The followers of Frenzy may be mysterious, but they aren't known for direct combat prowess. As long as someone protects her, they might give up the idea. So, keep Irina by your side for a while; don't let the world gain another Frenzied Flame Maiden."
Otherwise, she might choose a Lord of Frenzied Flame in the future, Melina kept this thought buried deep.
Though Melina didn't fully understand the selection criteria, she could infer based on the connection. Why Irina, who appeared right before us?
Who would become Lord?
A weak Lord would be useless when burned; a strong one could destroy the world. A suitable candidate was right before her eyes. If Frieren were enticed to embrace the Frenzied Flame, it would surely plunge the world into chaos.
Melina believed the Frenzied Flame followers weren't strong enough themselves, but she would never underestimate their ability to hide, entice, and instigate. After all, Vyke, the aspiring Lord, was a cautionary tale; they liked finding Tarnished to receive the flame.
"In that case, we have no choice but to take Irina with us. With you present, perhaps persuading Castellan Edgar will be easier."
Frieren nodded at Melina, then looked at the blindfolded woman.
"The only issue is, are you afraid to return to the castle?"
"I'm not afraid. As long as I can save Father, I'm willing to do anything."
The silver-haired girl helped her onto the front of the Spirit Steed, placing Irina protectively in her lap while holding the reins. Thanks to their slender figures, Torrent bore the burden easily.
Irina said shyly, "Actually, I could sit behind you."
"No. What I mean is, the seat behind me always belongs to one person. She supports my back."
"She is truly fortunate."
However, Melina didn't feel fortunate. On the contrary, she grew more worried. If the day came when she had to sacrifice her life to burn the tree, would the Tarnished try to take her place?
Each lost in their own thoughts, the group set off again. The contingent, having witnessed everything, showed no reaction, likely thinking having the castellan's daughter increased their chances of success.
Along the way, Irina further described the rebellion in Castle Morne.
The leading captain replied, unable to hide his satisfaction, "Actually, Edgar's choice no longer matters. Having lost Castle Morne and caused significant losses, he has failed. By the rules, Godrick must inflict punishment. So, the castellan has no way out."
Of course, precisely because of this, his continued steadfastness demonstrates unmatched loyalty. Unfortunately, he followed the wrong person.
If only Stormveil Castle had sent reinforcements sooner. Though there were various reasons for delay, war is judged by the outcome.
Previously, both nobles and soldiers thought Godrick treated his subordinates well. But as time went on, the increasing grafting seemed to affect his mind, making him paranoid.
He had changed.
Or perhaps, he revealed his true nature. Someone with a history of disguising himself as a woman to flee the capital was bound to be like that – impatient with his slow progress, possessing mediocre talent. The expectation of reshaping the Golden Dynasty tormented Godrick, and he, in turn, tormented everyone else.
However, the contingent didn't have much time to dwell on this, because after traveling several kilometers along the main road, the smell of blood drifted towards them.
Countless corpses were piled high like mountains. Ugly Misbegotten stood atop them, gnawing on flesh, their faces smeared with blood.
Then, they looked towards the uninvited guests.
____
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